Chapter Fifty-Three: The Bridge of Illusions

“Be careful, I sense the presence of a demon!”
Xi Yue whispered a warning. At that moment, the three of us had already stepped into the shimmering silver river of mercury. All around, thick silvery liquid flowed ceaselessly, as if nothing could exhaust its restless tide.

I could faintly feel the lotus platforms beneath our feet begin to tremble.

As the trembling intensified, I suddenly saw a massive hand emerge from the mercury river, reaching straight for Xi Yue and Zhao Wen.

Xi Yue stamped hard on the lotus platform and, raising her hand, struck out with her palm. Yet, in the very instant she moved, another silvery hand abruptly seized her, dragging her down in a flash.

“Xi Yue!”

I shouted, rushing forward in a few hurried steps.

Splashing echoed around me, and just as I advanced, a shadow appeared atop the lotus platform. Towering and formidable, its whole body gleamed silver. One enormous hand gripped the struggling Xi Yue, the other clutched a nearly suffocated Zhao Wen.

The suddenness of it all left me little time to react.

But in that moment, nothing filled my mind except a single thought: I must save Xi Yue.

I raised my hand and summoned the Sword of All Beings, but no matter how I called for Nie Xiaoke, I heard nothing.

If even Xi Yue could not withstand such terrifying force, then neither Nie Xiaoke nor Tu could possibly survive. I leapt up, soaring through the air, and struck directly at the giant mercury creature.

I knew I was no match, but I would rather perish than live alone.

I saw the sadness in Xi Yue’s eyes as she looked at me. I did not understand why I felt so much, but I only wanted to split open the monster before me.

“Foolish!”

A vast, ancient voice thundered in my ears, stern and unyielding.

Yet I felt no fear, for I was prepared to die. What was left to dread? Perhaps this is true love: if Xi Yue were to sink into this terrifying sea of mercury, I would be willing to go with her.

Though unafraid, I still knew my limits.

---

On the head of the mercury giant, a hand suddenly extended, reaching down to seize me. Feeling the threat invade my mind, I slowly closed my eyes, knowing I could not escape my fate.

A flood of memories came to me—Su Ying, my parents, Chen Chuyi, Zhao Shiwu, Xi Yue…

Break!

With a buzzing sound, my eyes snapped open. Everything was as it had been—the river of mercury—and Xi Yue stood before me, her fingertip resting coolly on my brow.

“Xi Yue…”

“Xiao Dong, you’ve begun to enter an illusion. Try not to breathe the air here, and if you must, hold fast to your heart. Don’t let the illusion invade your mind!”

As Xi Yue spoke, I saw that I stood at the edge of the lotus platform, just one step from plunging into the thick mercury.

Zhao Wen began to tremble, slowly walking toward the river.

“Bind!”

Xi Yue waved her hand, and a silvery beam gleamed from her palm, pure as the moon.

It was the essence of the moon, drawn from her own body.

“Xiao Dong, quickly—put your hand in Zhao Wen’s mouth to stop him from biting his tongue!”

I nodded swiftly, darted to Zhao Wen’s side, and, with determination, placed my fingers in his trembling mouth. Sure enough, Zhao Wen had wedged his tongue between his teeth, ready to end his life with a single bite.

Ah!

As I pondered, Zhao Wen bit down hard, pain shooting through me. I nearly kicked him away, but I forced myself to endure.

Xi Yue, standing nearby, flicked her silvery moonlight ribbon with a flourish. Focusing, I saw her burning her own power to draw a talisman.

Once the shining rune was formed, Xi Yue’s face grew solemn. She shook it fiercely and uttered a cold “Extinguish.” Instantly, the Tears of the Vast Sea above her head burst forth with rays of light.

In the next moment, the entire space shuddered violently!

With a crash, the sealed space was released, and, in this treasure vault that should have been windless, a faint breeze stirred.

---

“Go!”

I grabbed the still-dazed Zhao Wen and followed closely behind Xi Yue, heading toward the dilapidated grand hall ahead.

Behind us, the gentle wind suddenly turned wild, as if terrifying cyclones had risen from the mercury rivers on either side, shattering the calm.

Lotus platforms began to topple into the mercury, vanishing without a trace.

“Xi Yue, get into the temple, quick!”

I felt the stone lotus platforms behind us disappearing faster than we could run.

“Heaven and earth boundless, swift as the wind!”

As I struggled to carry Zhao Wen, he suddenly coughed blood, drew three talismans in midair, and pressed them to our legs.

Instantly, our speed multiplied, and in a blink we stood at the temple entrance.

Turning, we saw only the vast mercury river and swirling mists above.

As we stepped onto the seemingly collapsed temple, the entire structure began to shake violently.

“It’s been so long since anyone came. I wonder if this time, the Buddha realm has sent the destined ones I’ve been waiting for!”

Suddenly, the dim temple was illuminated by beams of Buddhist light. Upon the massive throne, a monster appeared—an old woman’s head atop a giant serpent’s body.

Her face was deeply lined, showing she had been here for many years. The serpent body gleamed blood-red, yet radiated Buddhist light.

With her appearance, the trembling temple calmed. Her deep eyes pierced us, as if seeing through us in a glance. Then she chuckled softly: “Not bad. Each of you carries ancient heritage. No wonder you could cross the Bridge of Illusion.”